This week, we meet ANA Industry Member, current ANA Secretary and Australian distributor for GroVia, Cassandra Silvey.
Tell us about your background. What did you do in your past life, before children? Before cloth nappies!
My past life is still my current life. I come from a background in operations and am currently doing my Masters in logistics and supply chain.
Tell us about your journey into the cloth nappy industry.
My love of cloth nappies began way back in 1993 when I did a common assessment task in year 12. I always knew I would not consider disposables because of the Dioxin used in them to gain absorbency.
When my son was born in 2006 I searched high and low for suitable covers and just couldn’t find anything that didn’t scratch his tummy or stay on within Australia, so I began researching and in time built my own company, New Age Nappies.
We tested every brand we sold and in time became the Australian distributors of Imse Vimse and finally GroVia (then known as Grobaby).
We sold New Age Nappies and resigned as distributors of Imse Vimse in December 2011 so we could concentrate on GroVia and haven’t looked back.
The GroVia all-in-one was the best nappy I had ever tried and my passion for the brand continues to grow even now with no babies in cloth. Kim, the brand’s founder, is an inspiration and every product that she designs and the team creates is proudly tested not only on her family (she has six beautiful little babies) but by hundreds of other mums and dads.
GroVia is a big part of our family and I hope one day my children will firstly use the brand on their own children but also take over the distribution and continue to share this wonderful range with Australian families.
How has the cloth nappy industry changed since you started your business?
When I first started it was mainly flat nappies with covers, then the introduction of fitted nappies and now one-size.
What is the hardest thing about running your own business?
The hardest part of running our own business is balancing our time. It’s very hard to ever shut off, there are always emails to answer, orders to pack, site updates to make.
What’s one thing you know now that you wish you’d known when you started your business?
How much time it was going to take!
Who helps you run your business?
It depends on the time of year but mainly family and a few employees to help out when needed on a casual basis.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy outdoor activities. As a family we go for a bike ride at least once a week and I run a few nights with my dog. I also love to travel and we normally go overseas to explore a new part of the world each year.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
That’s a hard one… I’m not sure I’ve been given the best piece of advice yet, but from experience I’d say enjoy your life and remember to make sure your loved ones know how much you care about them as you never know how long they will be around.
What’s something you’d like your kids to remember about you?
That I never give up and fight for what I believe in.
Tell us your favourite quote or saying.
I haven’t much faith in peace that commences in hacking off limbs and fighting in trenches. Some say it’s peace we are now fighting for. If this brings us peace, what brings us war?
